Photographic developing apparatus.



No. 722,813. PATENT-ED MAR. 17, 1903. P. L. CONDIT.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED Nov. 29, 1901.

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PATENTED MAP. 17, 1903.

P. L. CONDIT. PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 29, 1901.

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PATENTED MAR. 1'7, 1903.

T. L. CONDIT.

PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. Z9, 1901.

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PATBNTED MAR. 17, 1903.

P. L.`GONDIT.

PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES4 PATENT OEEICE.

FRANK L. CONDIT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PARK N.CONDIT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 722,813, dated March17, 1903.

Application ledNovember 29| 1901. Serial No. 84,035. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. CONDIT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic DevelopingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The object of myinvention is to provide an apparatus by means of whichan exposed photographic plate may be removed from a plateholder,developed, and fixed in any room by daylight or artificial light Withoutexposing the plate to actinic light. This and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear are attained by the devices illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of whatmay be termed the transfer-chamber. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of thesame. Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. L.tis a transversevertical section on the line 4:4 of Fig. 1. 5 is also a rear elevationshowing the slide in open position. Fig. 6 is a transverse verticalsection on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, showing a plate in course of transferfrom the plateholder to the transfer-chamber. Fig. 7 is a like verticalsection of the transfer-chamber in reversed position. Fig. 8 is atransverse vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig.7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the metallic finger-sleeve. Fig. 10is a front elevation of the developing-chamber. Fig. 1l is a rearelevation thereof. Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section through thetransfer and developing chambers, showing the manner in which a plate istransferred from the transfer-chamber to the developingchamber. Fig. 13is a horizontal section of the developing-chamber on theline 12 12 ofFig. 10. Fig. 14 is an end elevation of the developing-cham ber and atransverse section of the hiring-chamber coupled to allow the transferof a plate from the developing to the fixing chamber. Fig. l5 is a frontelevation of the fixing-chamber. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of thetransfer-chamber.

Like letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figuresof the drawings. Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A isa transfer-chamber consisting of a rectangular box ot' slightly-greaterdepth than the thickness of a photographic plate and havingin its frontside an opening slightly larger than the dimensions of the largestphotographic plate which is to be used in connection with the apparatus.Surrounding this opening is a ledge B, which is provided with felt orother means for forming a lighttightjoint, and surrounding this ledgeare flanges or stops C for receiving a photographicplate holder. Thesestops are so arranged that when the plate-holder is fitted therein andthe slide removed therefrom the opening in the plate-holder will beopposite to or register with the opening in the front of thetransfer-chamber. The transfer-chamber is also provided withspring-clips D for engaging the outer face of the plate-holder andholding the same tightly against the ledge B, so as to form alight-tight joint therewith. I may also provide the transfer-chamberwith a slot through the top thereof communicating with grooves d,surrounding the opening in the face thereof for the admission of aslide, such as is commonly used in photographicplate holders. This slotand these grooves are so arranged and constructed that with a slideinserted therein the front of the transfer-chamber will be closed andthere will be a light-tight engagement between said slot and grooves andthe slide inserted therein.

The back of the chamber A is provided with an opening E, which is'normally closed by a slide F. This slide is normally held in closedposition by means of springs G, which loosely engage a shoulderfon theslide and hold the slide against a stop d'. The slide F is provided witha finger-hole H, which is surrounded by one end of a flexible sleeve I,within which is tted a metallic sleeve J, which terminates at its innerend in a finger The sleeve J is of such asize that the operators fingerswill fit snugly therein, so that no light will be admitted between thefinger of the operator and the sleeve J. So likewise the sleeve I has alight-tight joint with the slide F.

When the slide F is moved against the springs G to its open position,the opening therein will come opposite to the opening E in the back ofthe transfer-chamber A, so as to admit of the ingerj through the openingE and adjacent to the bottom of the transferchamber. The bottom of thetransfer-chamber leads to a passage-way or sleeve K, which is providedwith a shutter 7c, arranged to be operated by a lever 7c on the outsideof the transfer-chamber to open or close the passage through the sleeveK. The lower end of the sleeve K is of a size and contour to it snuglyover the upper end of the developingchamber, so as to provide alight-tight joint therewith and may be secured in engagement with thedeveloping-chamber in any suitable manner.

L is the developing-chamber,consisting, primarily, of a thin rectangularbox of a size to freely receive the largest-sized plate which it issought to develop therein and sufficiently narrow between its front andback faces to maintain such photographic plate in substantially avertical position. The opposite faces of the developing-chamber areprovided with openings M, which are closed by ruby glass or othertransparent medium, which will exclude the actinic rays of light, and solocated that a photographic plate contained within saiddeveloping-chamber will be supported between such openings. The upperedge of the developing-chamber is of a contour to engage the sleeve orpassage K on the transfer-chamber and to form a light-tight jointtherewith and is provided with a shutter c similar to the shutter 7o ofthe transferchamber.

N is a bulb which communicates by means of the tube n with the interiorof the developing-chamber and is provided with any suitable shut-offdevice, such as the clip n. A second tube o, similarly provided with ashut-off device, connects another bulb with theinteriorof thedeveloping-chamber. Preferably the bulb N is of a size to contain acharge of developer sufficient to till said de- Veloping-chamber with aphotographic plate contained therein and at least sufficient in quantityto develop such plate. The tube 0, on the other hand, leads to a bulbwhich contains clear water for rinsing the plate after development.

P is a fixing-chamber, which in its preferred form consists of a chambersimilar in general outline to the developing-chamber, provided with asleeve p for snugly engaging the upper portion of the developing-chamberand provided with a bulb arranged to supply a fixing solution to thefixing-chamber through the tube p'. The fixing-chamber may, if desired,be supplied with a shutter similar to the shutters 7c and c forexcluding light therefrom; but such a shutter is not an essential.

My device is used as follows: A photographic-plateholder Q, containingan exposed plate R, is fitted to the open face of the transfer-chamber Aand within the stops C. In

this position the plate-holder is heid securely against the shoulder orledge B by means of the spring-clips D and forms a light-tight jointtherewith. The slide q is then withdrawn from the plate-holder, therebyeXposing the plate within the transfer-chamber A. The plate will now beheldin position within the plate-holder by means of the usual spring qat the bottom of the plate-holder. The operator now inserts a fingerwithin the sleeve J at the back of the transfer-chamber and reciprocatesthe slide F until the sleeve J is brought opposite to the opening E inthe back of the chamber A. This opening will be opposite to the springq' in the plate-holder. The operator now inserts the sleeve J throughthe opening E, as shown in Fig. 6, until the ingery` engages theplate-retaining spring q in the plate-holder. By means of the finger jhe now presses down on the spring q', thereby releasing the plate R andallowing it to fall forward within the transfer-chamber A, as shown inFig. 6. The plate R having been disengaged from the plate-holder, thefinger j is withdrawn from the interior of the transfer-chamber A, andby tipping the chamber in any suitable manner the plate R will entirelyfall out of the plate-holder and will rest within the transfer-chamberand against the back Wall thereof. The further manipulations of thetransfer-chamber may be continued with the opening in the front thereofstill closed by the plate-holder,or, as previously described, the frontof the transferchamber may be provided with a slot and grooves forreceiving a slide similar to a plateholder slide. This slide may now beinserted through the slot and into the grooves provided therefor,thereby securely closing the front of the transfer-chamber against theadmission ot' light, and the plate-holder may now be removed. Vhen thesleeve J and the ingerj are withdrawn from the opening E, the slide F ismoved by the springs Gr to its closed position and the opening E istightly closed by the slide. I next tit the sleeve K of thetransfer-chamber over the upper end of the developing-chamber, as shownin Fig. 11, and by turning back the shutters lo and c leave a clearpassage-way from the interior of the transfer-chamber to the interior ofthe y developing-chamber, whereupon the plate R drops from thetransfer-chamber into the developing-chamber. Preferably the bottom ofthe developing-chamber is provided with rubber cushions r, upon whichthe plate R drops without injury thereto. The shutter cis now closed, soas to make a light-tight closure of the passage between the transfer anddeveloping chambers, and the transfer-chamber is disengaged and removedfrom the developingchamber. The operator now forces developing fluidfrom the bulb N to the interior of the developing-chamber, and the tuben being then closed by the clip it' the developing Huid is retained inthe developing-chamber as long as may be desired. Thereupon thedevelopment of the plate may be watched through the glazed openings inthe sides of the developingchamber, such openings allowing non-actinic llight to pass through the developing-chamber and through the platesupported therein between said openings and in course of development.Vhen in the judgment of the operator the plate has been sufficientlydeveloped, the clip n is released, whereupon the developing uid iswithdrawn from the developing-chamber and into the bulb N, where it isretained by again closing the tube fn, by means of the clip n'. Theplate is now rinsed by forcing water into the developing-chamber throughthe tube 0, which water is then withdrawn into the bulb in connectionwith said tube, and the tube o in its turn is again closed by means ofits clip 0. rlhe developing-chamber is now fitted to the fixing-chamber,as shown in Fig. 13, the shutter c is opened, and the plate is droppedinto the fixing-chamber, which maycontain a fixing-bath at the time, butwhich is preferably furnished with a fixing solution through the tube pafter the plate has dropped into the fixing-chamber. 'Ihe bottom of thefixing-chamber is also provided with rubber cushions r. Thedeveloping-chamber is then disengaged from the fixing-chamber and thefixing of the plate may be completed in the fixing-chamber or the platemay now be transferred to anysuitable fixing bath in the usual manner.

While I have described my developingchamber in its simplest form, Iprefer to provide it with additional protection against fogging theplate by exposure to too strong light. For this purpose I provide oneface of the developingchamber with a clip or other means for receivingan additional plate of ruby glass or similar transparent medium forexcluding actinic rays of light, while for still further safety, as inthe case of very sensitive plates, another thin plate of ruby or likeglass or a screen of ruby paper maybe loosely fitted within the frame ofthe developing-chamber surrounding one of its glazed openings andbetween the glass closing said opening'and the additional sheet of rubyglass. I consider that it is only necessary to provide these extrascreens upon that side of the developing-chamber which is held towardthe strong light which is to be transmitted through thedeveloping-chamber to the eye of the operator. However, for safety whileeecting the transfer of the plate and for other steps it is desirable toprovide the side of the transfer-chamber which is to be held toward theoperator with a movable or hinged opaque screen X, which willeffectively close that side of the developing-chamber against theadmission of light until the operator wishes to examine the plate,whereupon this opaque screen may be removed or swung out of the way andthe plate examined by means of transmitted light.

It will be understood that while I have described my preferredconstruction I do not limit myself thereto, and while I have describedthe openings to the walls of the developing-chamber as closed by rubyglass or the like it is evident that either or both of said openings maybe closed by any suitable transparent medium, the insertion of slides ofruby glass or of any other suitable screen across the face thereof beingrelied on to exclude the actinic rays of light, and various othervariations in detail may be readily made without departing from thespirit of my invention.

l-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In a photographic developing apparatus, a developing-chambercomprising a box having two oppositely-disposed transparent Walls, saidchamber being provided with an opening in one edge thereof for theedgewise entrance of a photographic pla-te, and being also providedadjacent to said edge with a sleeve arranged to make light-tightconnection with one edge of a transfer-chamber, and means arrangedwithin said sleeve to close the opening therethrough, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a portable photographic developing apparatus, a developing-chambercomprising a box having oppositely-disposed openings through two of thewalls thereof, non-actinic transparent means for closing said openings,means for supporting a photographic plate between said openings and in aplane substantially parallel therewith, said box being provided with anopening, at one edge thereof, arranged to receive a photographic plateedgewise, and being provided adjacent to said opening with means formaking a light-tight connection with one edge of a transfer-chamber, andmeans for closing said edge opening in the developing-chamber,substantially as described.

3. The combination with a portable developing-chamber,comprisingnon-actinic transparent walls and provided with a passage at one edgethereof for the edgewise entrance of a photographic plate, of meansseparable from said developing-chamber for receiving a plate from aplate-holder without exposure, coengaging means on saiddeveloping-chamber, adjacent to said passage, and on saidplate-receiving means, for forming a lighttight passage through which aplate may pass from said plate-receiving means to said devel-.oping-chamber, and means for closing said passage into saiddeveloping-chamber to exclude light therefrom when the plate-receivingmeans has been disengaged from said developing-chamber.

t. A photographic developing apparatus, comprising a box havingtransparent non-actinic walls and provided with means for separablyengaging another box so as to form a light-tight connection therewith,and provided with an opening in an edge thereof for the passage of aphotographic plate from one to the other of said boxes without exposingICO reg

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said plate, and means for closing said opening so as to exclude theentrance of light therethrough, substantially as described.

5. In aphotographic developing apparatus, the combination withatransfer-chamber provided with an opening through one edge thereof,of asleeve,arranged adjacent to said opening, a developing-chamber, providedwith an opening through one edge thereof, a sleeve arranged adjacent tosaid opening and arranged to make light-tight connection With saidfirst-named sleeve,so as to provide a passage connecting the edgeopening in the transfer-chamber with the edge opening in thedeveloping-chamber, and means for closing the passage through each ofsaid sleeves, substantially as described.

6. In a portable photographic developing apparatus, the combination Witha developing-chamber, of a separable transfer-chainber, means upon saidtransfer-chamber for engaging the developing-chamber so as to providefree communication between said chambers for the passage of aphotographic plate, and means upon said. transfer-chamber for receivinga photographic plate from a plateholder, all without exposure of suchplate, substantially as described.

7. In a photographicdevelopingapparatus, the combination with adeveloping-chamber having two oppositely-disposed transparent walls, ofmeans separable from said Walls for intercepting the passage of actiniclight therethrough, substantially as described.

8. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination with atransfer-chamber for receiving a photographic plaie from a plateholder,said transfer-chamber being provided with an opening for the passage ofa photographic plate therefrom to a developing-chamber, adeveloping-chamber provided with an opening for receiving a photographicplate from the transfer-chamber, means upon each of said chambers forseparably engaging the other of said chambers so as to form a lighttightjoint therebetween, and means upon each of said chambers for closingsaid openings therefrom so as to exclude the entrance of lighttherethrough,V substantially as described.

9. In a portable photographic developing apparatus, the combination Witha transferchamber adapted to receive a photographic plate from aplate-holder, of a developingchamber provided with means for engagingthe transfer-chamber so as to have free communication therewith for thepassage of a photographic plate, and a fixing-chamber provided withmeans for engaging the developing-chamber so as to provide free communication therewith for the passage of a photographic plate, allarranged to be operated in daylight without exposing the photographicplate, substantially as described.

l0. A photographic developing apparatus comprising a box provided withmeans for separably engaging a developing-chamber so as to form alight-tight joint therewith, and provided with an opening in an edgethereof for the passage of a photographic plate from adeveloping-chamber to said box Without eX- posing said plate, and meansfor closing said opening so as to exclude the entrance of lighttherethrough, substantially as described.

Il. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination With atransfer-chamber, of means outside thereof and attached thereto forreleasing a photographic plate from a plate-holder so as to admit saidplate to said transfer-chamber without exposure, substantially asdescribed.

l2. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination with atransfer-chamber, of means outside thereof and slidably attached theretofor releasing a photographic plate from the plate-holder, substantiallyas described.

13. In a photographic developing apparatus7 the combination With atransfer-chamber, of means outside thereot` and attached thereto, forreleasing a plate from a plateholder, said means comprising a flexiblesleeve, a tube mounted within said sleeve, adapted to receive means forengaging the spring holding said plate in the plate-holder,substantially as described.

14. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination with atransfer-chamber, of means outside thereof and attached thereto forreleasing a plate from a plateholder,said means comprising a iiexiblesleeve and a tube mounted within said sleeve, provided at its inner endWith a nger adapted to engage the spring holding a plate in aplateholder, substantially as described.

l5. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination with atransfer-chamber, of means outside thereof and attached thereto forreleasing a plate from a plateholder, said means comprising a sleeve anda tube mounted within said sleeve and adapted to be closed at its innerend, said end being provided with a ringer adapted to engage the springholding a plate in a plate-holder, substantiallyT as described.

16. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination with atransfer-chamber, of a flexible sleeve outside thereof and attachedthereto, and means contained in said sleeve for disengaging a plate froma plateholder, substantially as described.

17. In a portable photographic developing apparatus, a transfer-chamberprovided with an opening at one side thereof adapted to receive the faceof a photographic-plate holder, means for holding said plate-holder inengagement with the open side of said transferchamber, means forproviding a light-tight joint between such plate-holder and the trans-IIO vaas 1e gagement with said transfer-chamber, so as upon one facethereof for the admission of a to permit such plate to enter saidtransferchamber Without exposing the same to actinic light, and meansfor permitting the passage of the plate, without exposure, from thetransfer-chamber to a developing-chamber, substantially as described.

18. A photographic developing apparatus comprising a box provided withan opening upon one face thereof for the admission of a photographicplate, a ledge surrounding said opening, and adapted to engage the faceof a photographic-plate holder, means upon said ledge for forming alight-tight joint with a photographic-plate holder, means upon said boxfor holding a photographic-plate holder in close engagement with saidledge, said box having an opening in the back thereof opposite to saidfirst opening and arranged adjacent to the middle of one edge of saidbox, means for closing said last-named opening and for also admittingthe insertion of a suitable disengaging means therethrough Withontadmitting light into said box, said box having a slot in one edge forthe passage of a photographic plate from said box, and means for closingsaid slot so as to exclude the entrance of light therethrough,substantially as described.

19. A photographic developing apparatus comprising a box provided withan opening photographic plate, a ledge surrounding said opening, andadapted to engage the face of a photographic-plate holder, means uponsaid ledge for forming a light-tight joint with a photographic-plateholder, means upon said box for holding a photographic-plate holder inclose engagement With said ledge, an opening in the back of said boxopposite to said first opening and arranged adjacent to the middle ofone edge of said box, a slide arranged to close said last named opening,means for yieldingly holding said slide in closed position, said slidebeing provided with an opening arranged to be brought opposite to saidlast-named opening in the box, by moving said slide, and a iexiblesleeve mounted upon said slide, surrounding the opening therethrough andarranged to make a lighttight joint with any suitable disengaging meansinserted in said sleeve, through the opening in said slide and throughthe opening in the back of said box, so as to assist in releasing aphotographic plate from a plateholder held in engagement With the openface of said box, substantially as described.

FRANK L. CONDIT.

Witnesses:

PARK N. CONDIT, O. R. BARNETT.

